Variety of Tibouchina named ‘PMA Tib 1’

ABSTRACT

‘PMA Tib 1’ is a new variety of  Tibouchina  plant that is suitable for planting in gardens, containers, landscaping, and screen plantings having large flower size and volume that are mauve/purple at maturity.

Botanical classification: Tibouchina mutabalis.

Varietal denomination: ‘PMA TIB 1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofTibouchina plant, botanically known as Tibouchina mutabalis andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘PMA Tib 1’.

The new and ornamental variety was selected by the breeder as a resultof an ongoing breeding program that has been conducted by the inventorfor more than thirty years at the inventor's nursery in Victoria Point,Queensland, Australia. The purpose of the breeding program is to producenovel varieties of Tibouchina in varying plant sizes, flower colors, andwhich are well-suited to a range of climate zones. ‘PMA Tib 1’ is ahybrid plant derived from the deliberate controlled cross-pollination ofthe unpatented female parent, an individual seedling of Tibouchinamutabilis, named ‘Noelene’, and the unpatented male parent, anindividual plant of Tibouchina mutabilis named ‘Jazzie’. The inventoremasculated flowers of the female parent and applied pollen that wasfreshly collected from the male parent in 2002. The parent plants wereisolated to prevent open pollination. In 2004, the inventor selected‘PMA Tib 1’ as a seedling that had been raised from thecross-pollination described herein. Selection was based on the criteriaof habit, flower color, and plant dimensions. The plant was thenpropagated in 2006 via vegetative cuttings to produce a new generationfor final evaluation.

Further, asexual reproductions of ‘PMA Tib 1’ in Victoria Point,Queensland, Australia has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retainedand reproduced true to type through more than six successive generationsof asexual reproduction.

The color references made herein are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticulture Society of London, except where general color termsof ordinary significance are used.

The present invention has not been evaluated under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variation inenvironment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined tobasic characteristics of ‘PMA Tib 1’ which, in combination, distinguishthis Tibouchina plant as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. White flowers with a purple margin upon first opening that        turn completely mauve/purple when mature;    -   2. Dense plant habit;    -   3. Strong vigor;    -   4. Saucer-like, multi-colored flowers;    -   5. Large flower size with overlapping petals;    -   6. Abundant flowers; and    -   7. Woody, long-lived, and large shrub.

‘Noelene’ exhibits a lighter mauve/pink mature flower color, largermature plant dimensions, and lack of significant petal overlap than ‘PMATib 1’. ‘Jazzie” exhibits smaller flowers than ‘PMA Tib 1’ and singlepurple colored petals that do not distinctly change in color.

Further, the new variety exhibits a larger flower size, larger matureplant dimensions, and significantly overlapping petals than ‘Chameleon’(unpatented).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, withthe colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type:

FIG. 1 is close-up photograph of flowers of the new variety;

FIG. 2 is a close-up photograph of a flower of the new variety; and

FIG. 3 is a photograph of an entire plant of the new variety.

PROPAGATION

-   -   -   Time to initiate roots.—About 14-18 days at approximately            21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 24-30 days at 21° C.

PLANT

-   -   -   Plant spread.—Approximately 27 cm.        -   Plant height.—50 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Fast.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: Approximately 37 cm. Diameter:            Approximately 0.3 cm. Quantity: About 20.        -   Age of plant when described.—Approximately 16 weeks from a            rooted cutting.        -   Growth habit.—Upright.        -   Height at maturity.—2.5 m.        -   Width at maturity.—2.5 m.

-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Very strong.        -   Main stem diameter.—0.85 cm.        -   Lateral stem length (average).—17 cm.        -   Lateral stem width (average).—0.3 cm.        -   Internode length (range).—2.0 cm to 10 cm.        -   Shape.—Square in cross section.        -   Surface.—Rough.        -   Branch color.—Juvenile: 146C. Semi-ripe: 176A and 146C.            Mature: 199B.

-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Opposite. Division: Simple. Margin:            Entire. Shape: Ovate. Base: Cuneate. Apex: Acute to            acuminate. Surface (adaxial): Pubescent. Surface (abaxial):            Pubescent. Texture (adaxial surface): Prominently ribbed.            Texture (abaxial surface): Prominently ribbed. Attachment:            Petiolate. Length (range excluding petiole): 2.5 cm to            10.5 cm. Width (range): 0.75 cm to 4.3 cm. Color (adaxial            surface): 147A. Color (abaxial surface): 146B. Color of            juvenile foliage not fully expanded: 171B to 171C and 147A.        -   Foliar fragrance.—None observed to date.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Reticulate; 3 to 5 primary parallel            veins. Color (adaxial surface): 146B. Color (abaxial            surface): 146D. Prominence (adaxial surface): Depressed.            Vein prominence (abaxial surface): Raised.        -   Petiole.—Length (range): 0.7 cm to 2 cm. Diameter (average):            0.19 cm. Color: 146C and 174B. Surface: Pubescent. Shape:            Cylindrical, but flattened on the adaxial surface.

-   Flower:    -   -   Shape.—Rotate.        -   Aspect.—Facing upward and outward.        -   Inflorescence type.—Solitary.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.        -   Blooming period.—Summer through fall; can bloom sporadically            during other times.        -   Inflorescence fragrance.—None observed to date.        -   Petals.—Number: 5. Central color (both surfaces): 157D.            Margin color (both surfaces): 39B. Central color as            senesces: 65A. Margin: Entire and undulating. Apex: Obtuse.            Base: Broadly attenuate. Petals overlapping: Present. Shape:            Obovate. Surface (abaxial and adaxial): Glabrous. Fused or            unfused: Unfused.        -   Buds.—Color: 80A. Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Acute.        -   Calyx.—Color: 47A. Shape: Cupule.        -   Sepals.—Color (adaxial surface): 135D. Color (abaxial            surface): 175D. Quantity: 5 in number. Margin: Entire. Base:            Truncate. Fused or unfused: Unfused.        -   Peduncle.—Color: 145B. Shape: Cylindrical.

-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: Usually 10 in number (5 long and 5 short).            Color at flower first opening: 155D. Color at flower            senescence: 62D.        -   Anthers.—Color at flower first opening: 145A. Color at            flower senescence: 76A. Shape: Sickle.        -   Pollen.—None observed.        -   Pistil.—Number: 1. Shape: Columnar and curved at the end.            Color at flower first opening: 142B. Color at flower            senescence: 186D.        -   Stigma.—Color: 157C. Shape: Flattened.        -   Ovary.—Color: 159A. Shape: Cupule. Position: Inferior.        -   Seeds.—No seeds have been observed to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Tibouchina plant named ‘PMATib 1’ as herein described and illustrated.